Galway - Persse Family, Washington Post, April 21, 1912 *********************************************** Ireland Genealogy Projects Archives Galway Index Copyright ************************************************ File contributed by: C.J.L. PERSSE FAMILY, WASHINGTON POST, APRIL 21, 1912 County Galway, Ireland, famous for the beauty of its women, has an extremely charming representative at the Dublin court this season in the person of Miss Olive PERSSE. The PERSSE family is noted for its interest in sport, and the present master of the Galway Blazers, the best known fox-hunting pack in the three kingdoms is Miss Olive PERSSE'S uncle. Although whiskey distilling was the origin of the PERSSE fortune, the present representatives of the family are considered county people of the best stamp, and Miss PERSSE was presented at court this year. According to rumor, the young court attaches lost no time in paying homage to the beautiful Galway girl, and it is said that her engagement to one of the Earl of Aberdeen's viceregal staff is to be announced shortly. Some four years ago the PERSSE family had a clash with the Land League, and Henry PERSSE, justice of the peace of Woodville, County Galway, complained bitterly that he was "the most persecuted man in Ireland.," being boycotted and threatened by the league till he feared for his life. Augustine BIRRELL, chief secretary for Ireland, declared that the charges were exaggerated, but Mr. PERSSE went to London and thrilled tory drawing rooms with the tales of his sufferings, much as Lord ASHTON had done not long before.